The Sinful Nature

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2: 1-5 NIV)

By our natural births we come into the world with a "sinful nature," sometimes called the "flesh" in scripture. By this first birth, "in" and "of" the flesh, men are "born of corruptible seed."

This is why sinful man needs to be "born again," or "born from above," or "born of God," which second birth is "in" or "of" the spirit.

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible (seed), by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (I Peter 1: 23 KJV)

"That which is born of the flesh (or, the sinful nature) is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit (or, the divine nature) is spirit." (John 3: 6 KJV)

First birth is of flesh, and of the sinful nature, and of corruptible seed, of the seed of fallen Adam. Thus we are "by nature" the "offspring of divine wrath." Thus we need a new birth, and a new nature, yea, to be made a partaker of the "divine nature."

"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (II Peter 1: 4 NIV)

In the first birth of the flesh one partakes of corruption, and such an inner corruption that produces every single evil activity and sin. In the second birth of the Spirit one partakes of incorruption and such inner purity of spirit produces every single holy activity and act of obedience.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17: 9 KJV)

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard (change) his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." (Jeremiah 13: 23 KJV)

Thus the sinful nature and native corruption is seen in its effects or fruit. The sinner's heart is the height of deception and superlatively sinful. It is a bottomless pit, so that no one, except Lord God, can fathom the debths of man's corruption, the great force of his spiritual disease.

"But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise...But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now." (Galatians 4: 23, 29 KJV)

The lives of those who are only born once are often contrasted with those who have been twice born. Those who are born after the flesh hate, persecute, and despise those who are born of the Spirit. One practices a sinful lifestyle and the other one an holy one. One's life is characterized by disobedience and rebellion towards Lord God, while the other is characterized by obedience and faithfulness towards him.

"For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering...And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit...Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires...Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (8: 3, 4, 5, 8 NIV)

"...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature... live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature...For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. " (Galatians 5: 13, 16 - 21 NIV)

A man who is born only once will die twice (the second death - Revelation 2: 11; 20: 6, 14; 21: 8), while he who is born twice will die only once.

The sinful nature of the flesh! How powerful it is! Without a rebirth and a partaking of the divine nature, none could receive deliverance from native depravity and corruption.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Colossians 3: 5, 24 NIV)

"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death...I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out...Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." (Romans 7: 5, 18, 25 NIV)

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6: 8 NIV)

In being born again, in being converted to Christ, one receives the divine nature. But, the old sinful nature is not removed. It is subdued and crucified, however, so that it no longer has the complete sway over the heart of the newly born soul. Believers wage a constant battle with the old sinful nature, that they received as a result of God's curse upon the entire race, but, by the presence of the divine nature they will surely have the final victory.

"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." (Peter 2: 18 NIV)

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 13 KJV)

Friends, there are preachers and religions that appeal to your depraved sinful nature and these will do you great harm if you heed them. Men are not born of themselves, of their own wills, which are naturally depraved, but are born of God, of his will and power alone. Has Lord God shown you your need of the new birth?

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." (I John 5: 1 KJV)